novelraw Chapter 113: Fallen Self-Nature
Chapter 113: Fallen Self-Nature
"'Replenishing magic'?"
Fischer repeated the unfamiliar term, chewing on it. He didn't know its exact meaning, but the suggestive grin on the demon's face gave him a decidedly bad feeling.
Sure enough, Eliog sat up and made an "OK" sign with her left hand, then slowly raised it to her lips — as though preparing to consume something. She smiled and explained.
"Demons eat all sorts of things. Before we were driven underground, we were called 'temptation devils' because we liked to prey on other species' Fallen Self-Nature. In truth, though, we got along fine with most races. And the ones we fed on seemed to enjoy it... mostly."
"I'm different from the demons in my clan who specialize in harvesting Fallen Self-Nature. I'm lazy and I don't like hunting. But you — you actually make me want to taste it. So how about it? It's a win-win. You get to release your surplus stock, and I get a free meal. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal, doesn't it?"
Fischer's gaze drifted over her wheat-toned skin. She had shed her cloak entirely, and he noticed for the first time that the demon's physique possessed its own kind of beauty. Eliog's body was powerful, yet carried an unmistakable feminine grace.
The two elements balanced at almost exactly the golden ratio. Her sun-kissed skin radiated a fierce, feral allure. The arrow-tipped tail swayed gently, slowly curling into a heart shape. The flame at its end burned brighter.
A dark fire kindled unbidden in the pit of Fischer's stomach, pulling at him like the maw of desire itself — urging him to do wicked things to this demon.
"What did you just do?"
Eliog watched the wariness bloom across the human's face. Her smile deepened. Behind her, the arrow-shaped tail had at some point twisted into a heart — but now she slowly lowered it."That's Fallen Self-Nature — our sustenance. There's not a lot of it on you, but you're very much to my taste. You'd make a fine resolute warrior."
"Extracting Fallen Self-Nature is an endless cycle. The more we consume, the more your body produces. That's why humans used to be so terrified of us — afraid we'd lure them into an abyss they could never climb out of. But the way I see it now, even without demons, humans sliding into the abyss is inevitable."
Eliog lazily exhaled a dense plume of smoke. It reeked of acrid chemicals. She was clearly mocking the junkies she'd seen on Serpent's Head Street — mortals drowning in Fallen Self-Nature without a single demon to blame.
As her tail uncoiled from its heart shape, the dark fire in Fischer's body receded, vanishing as if the strange reaction had never occurred.
Fischer's breathing quickened for a moment. He observed the change in her tail and connected the dots.
"I see. Demons can stoke desire in living beings. But judging by the intensity, it's not really your specialty."
"Correct. I'm the oddball among demons."
Eliog yawned.
"My specialty is combat — that's why I said I'm more than qualified to teach you. Seriously, though, if you want to train properly, replenishing magic — clearing your surplus stock — is a necessity. You can find a female of your own species to handle it... or I'd be happy to volunteer."
On that last note, she lowered her hand with a smile and drifted to the cot. She flicked the bottle cap off with a finger — taking the glass of the bottle's mouth with it — and drank deeply. Her expression didn't change a single shade. She finished with a vacant belch.
"Fine, fine. If you won't let me replenish your magic, at least go find me some real food. I'm starving... so hungry."
She slid back into "lazy-pig mode," her eyes blinking slower and slower, looking as though they were about to shut for good. She seemed to have already forgotten the hunger she'd just complained about.
Fischer, exasperated, tidied up the lab and prepared to fetch food from the university cafeteria.
"Wait here and don't wander off. I'll bring food later. I'm locking the door so no other humans find you."
He looked back into the room to discover the wheat-skinned demon already hugging her bottle, mouth agape, breathing deeply and rhythmically — sunk into yet another profound slumber.
Fischer gave up on her and pulled on his hat. He took off running toward Saint-Nazareth University in the distance.
He had planned to walk, but then he recalled Eliog's remark about his woeful lack of exercise. This was as good a way as any to start.
Even at a full sprint, the lab was nearly half an hour from the university. The suburban area around here was vast and largely undeveloped. He'd heard the Nazarene Development Company had planned to build a luxury resort here, but Parliament had voted it down.
The Gryphon Party had unanimously opposed it — the tomb of Gothrin I, the kingdom's founder, lay not far away. Raving and playing golf in front of the old man's grave sounded revolting. And so the development plan was shelved.
Tlander's stable had been purchased from a private farmer whose family had owned the land for generations before he sold it to go into business. The only other parcel approved for development nearby was the plot for Saint-Nazareth University itself — a special exception, royally authorized.
Fischer arrived at the school gates barely breaking a sweat. Far from being tired, he felt his body awakening, flooding with an exhilarating vitality.
'So that's what Eliog meant.'
He confirmed the demoness's assessment and headed for the cafeteria. He ordered several takeaway meat dishes. Most portions were small, so he had to order a whole roast chicken and roast pork.
The staff said it would take a while to prepare. Fischer ate his own dinner first, waiting for the kitchen to finish.
It was well past normal dining hours. Fischer felt somewhat guilty about making the kitchen work overtime. While he waited, another paper airplane came wobbling through the air, carrying a letter.
From the Witch Karo.
Fischer read it. The letter said Karo would come tonight to discuss the specifics of the plan. In his last message, Fischer had left an address — a grove near Saint-Nazareth University.
Karo clearly couldn't wait any longer; there was an eager, impatient edge to the message. Fischer pocketed the paper and began quietly strategizing for the Schwari delegation's visit.
There was no way he would let Karo assassinate the Schwari diplomatic party. That would inflict incalculable damage on both nations. The death of ordinary scholars would shatter the laboriously rebuilt trust between the two countries. And the death of a visiting prince would trigger consequences beyond imagining.
But the Pink Pavilion almost certainly wasn't pinning all its hopes on Karo. They had contingencies. Fischer needed to extract more information from the Witch.
With a rough blueprint forming, Fischer wolfed down the rest of his meal.
After a further wait, the kitchen finally produced the roast chicken and pork. Fischer thanked them, balanced the covered plates, and headed to his office to call Masha — letting her know he'd be staying at school for the foreseeable future.
After receiving her warmly concerned reminders, he hung up, slipped out through the office window, and ran back to the lab.
The return trip took a bit longer — he was carrying two platters. After confirming the lock hadn't been tampered with, Fischer pushed the door open. The demon lay motionless, hugging her bottle, looking exactly as she had when he left.
But the instant Fischer entered, her nose began twitching. Eyes still closed, her head drifted unconsciously in his direction.
"Mm... smells like food..."
She opened her eyes slowly and focused on Fischer walking in. Rubbing her face, she tossed the empty bottle aside and shuffled toward him.
The sight of the food made her rub her hands with glee. Without an ounce of ceremony she hoisted a platter and poured its contents into her mouth, like coal being shovelled into a steam engine's furnace. No chewing was required — the internal heat of her body incinerated everything instantly.
This made Fischer wonder why demon-kin bothered growing teeth — or whether this particular demon simply had unusual eating habits.
"Mm, not bad... By the way — we can start training tonight. Let me whip that feeble body of yours into shape. Honestly, looking this weak — what kind of image is that?"
She squeezed Fischer's abdominal muscles with imperious fingers, wearing a "you're not up to scratch" expression, and began critiquing him in detail.
"..." Fischer didn't respond to the critique. He glanced at the time and shook his head. "Not tonight. I have other business. But starting tomorrow, I'll come by every day."
"Fine by me. I can only coach you for a few weeks, though. If Agreas finds out I've been slacking, I'm done for. Schedule it yourself."
She was still the picture of supreme laziness. After swallowing every morsel on the plates, she slapped her unchangingly flat stomach with satisfaction and collapsed back onto the cot, motionless once more.
Serenity.
If Fischer had to name his prevailing emotion about this demon, it would be speechlessness.
Even newly acquainted humans wouldn't be this casual — let alone in a conversation between human and demon.
Yet she seemed to care about nothing at all. Either this creature was breathtakingly oblivious, or she possessed sufficient strength to ignore such trivialities.
Fischer's gaze fell on the two curved blades she had set on the table. The faint sulfurous smell had returned to the room — it definitely came from her.
'Should I make her take a bath?'
So Fischer thought.
Outside, the sky had fallen completely dark. Fischer left her with the same instructions as before. This time she hadn't fully fallen asleep yet and nodded her acknowledgment.
Fischer donned his gentleman's hat, took up his walking stick, and set out for the arranged meeting point — to rendezvous with Karo.